Changes to PIP eligibility have been put on hold until a comprehensive review of the benefit has been completed.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed no changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will be applied until after a “comprehensive review” of the disability benefit has been completed, expected to be by this Autumn.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms will co-produce the review with input from disabled people, organisations, experts and other stakeholders. His comments came in a written response to Conservative MP, Blake Stephenson, who asked about the “potential impact of the Personal Independence Payments Bill on public finances”.
Sir Stephen explained: “Clause 5 of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would have amended the legal framework underpinning PIP assessments, specifically by implementing a new requirement that claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of PIP.”
He continued: “In light of the concerns raised, we have removed clause 5 from the Bill in Committee.
“Any changes to PIP eligibility will come after a comprehensive review of the benefit, led by myself and co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard.
“This review aims to ensure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future.”
Changes to tax breaks for people using the Motability Scheme will come into force in July, this will only affect new users – all existing leases will remain unchanged.
Disability benefit claimants in Scotland
The Scottish Government confirmed in September that planned changes to the eligibility process for PIP will not impact those on Adult Disability Payment (ADP) under an SNP Government.
New figures from Social Security Scotland show at the end of October, some 491,370 people were receiving ADP.
The Scottish Government estimates ADP will support 612,000 people by 2028/29, providing financial support of almost £4.5 billion.
Social Security Scotland is now providing financial support to more than 700,000 people on disability or carer benefits north of the border.
These include Adult, Child and Pension Age Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment and Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.
